News
Stay up-to-date with the latest news from across Thailand and beyond with The Thaiger. Our dedicated team brings you breaking news, in-depth analysis, and exclusive stories from this stunning part of the world, covering a diverse range of topics, including local politics, business, culture, and tourism. Keep yourself informed about the Kingdom’s rich history, stunning landscapes, and thriving expat communities, as well as updates on events, attractions, and transportation.
The Thaiger is your essential resource for staying connected with Thailand’s captivating blend of tradition and modernity. To remain in the loop with the country’s most trusted news source, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media.
-
Sponsored Is tap water in Thailand safe to consume?
Wondering if you can drink the tap water in Thailand? From brushing your teeth to filling up a bottle, it’s helpful to understand a few basics. Tap water safety in Thailand varies by location, and while some people use it...
-
GSB asses terms for informal debtors in Thailand’s debt relief bid
Deputy Finance Minister Krisada Chinavicharana announced that the Finance Ministry has tasked the Government Savings Bank (GSB) with reassessing conditions for informal debtors. This move is part of the government’s steadfast resolution to address economic issues, especially those concerning formal and informal debt. The responsibility of registering informal debtors and facilitating negotiations with informal lenders has been given to the…
-
Phuket taxi drivers accused of threatening Grab driver
A fresh police complaint has been filed against a group of taxi drivers in Soi Cherng Talay 14, close to the Maya Beach Club, in Phuket. The drivers stand accused of intimidating a legally operating Grab taxi driver who was stationed to pick up passengers from the club. The complaint was lodged by 42 year old Jakkree Thummee, a resident…
-
Miss Universe president denies fraud, vows legal action in Thailand
Shockwaves reverberated through the beauty pageant world as Paula Shugart, the long-standing President of the Miss Universe Organization (MUO), announced her departure from the role she held for over 23 years. This surprising turn of events unfolded during the Miss Universe 2023 pageant held in El Salvador. Following her resignation, Shugart took to her personal Instagram account to state Thai,…
-
Phuket passenger van drivers’ brawl sparks public outrage
A violent altercation between two passenger van drivers erupted at the Ratsada Pier exit in Phuket. The incident, which was captured on video, circulated rapidly on social media yesterday, February 18, sparking widespread outrage. The video footage revealed a heated exchange between the drivers that eventually escalated into a physical brawl. One driver was seen being kicked while he lay…
-
Thailand aims for top ASEAN agricultural exporter with new FTAs
A Government of Thailand spokesperson revealed plans to enhance economic cooperation and attract foreign trade and investment, which could propel the Thai nation to the top of the agricultural export rankings in ASEAN through the implementation of Free Trade Agreements (FTA). The spokesperson for the Thai Prime Minister’s Office, Chai Watcharong, disclosed Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin’s determination…
-
Hong Kong bolsters business links with SE Asia and Middle East
Hong Kong is set to intensify its business ties with Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern nations, as part of its contribution to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Nicholas Ho Lik-chi, the Commissioner for Belt and Road, has identified Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia as key cooperation partners for the year ahead. Ho Lik-chi oversees…
-
Thailand’s fiery plight: 400+ hotspots spark concern
Thailand is currently grappling with more than 400 hotspots, with the highest concentration in the provinces of Chiang Mai, Lampang, and Mae Hong Son, each reporting over 40 incidents. In comparison, neighbouring countries are also facing significant challenges, with Myanmar recording 3,065 hotspots, Cambodia 1,341, Laos 704, and Vietnam 414 as of February 18. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development…
-
Teenage Thai girl accuses tattoo artist of sexual assault
A 16 year old Thai girl filed a complaint against a male tattoo artist in Chon Buri province, accusing him of drugging and sexually assaulting her during a tattoo session. The girl reported the sexual assault to Saensuk Police Station in Chon Buri province and also urged the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive to share the story with the public. The…
-
Community mourns as drunk driver kills two 12 year olds in Thailand
A recent tragedy gripped the local community of Satuek following a fatal traffic incident involving two 12 year old students, needlessly killed by a drunk driver. The accident occurred at 3pm yesterday, when a 67 year old man, identified only by his first name, Banchong, struck the children with his black Mitsubishi pickup truck, leading to their immediate death at…
-
Dugong survival threatened by seagrass decline in Andaman Sea
A prominent marine biologist issued a stark warning regarding the potential threat to the survival of dugongs in the Andaman Sea due to the rapid decline of seagrass, their primary food source. Thon Thamrongnawasat, the deputy dean of Kasetsart University’s fisheries faculty, voiced his concerns in a Facebook post, emphasising his worries for the future of marine biodiversity, specifically the…
-
Chinese man’s gambling site bust leaves billions in losses
The Immigration Bureau of Thailand arrested a Chinese man for running an illegal gambling website that caused more than 2.5 billion baht in losses to people in China. The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Kingdom of Thailand requested cooperation from the Immigration Bureau to apprehend a 32 year old Chinese suspect named Huang who escaped an…
-
Thailand battles rising PM2.5 levels, Bangkok breathes easier
Northeastern Thailand is currently grappling with hazardous levels of PM2.5, surpassing the standard values and affecting public health, while Bangkok enjoys relatively clear skies. Northeastern Thailand is currently enveloped in a haze of fine particulate matter, with PM2.5 levels exceeding the safety standards in 40 provinces. This has placed the health of millions at risk, particularly affecting the respiratory system.…
-
Thai mum’s plea for aid after daughter’s car crash in Taiwan
A Thai mother is seeking help from the Government of Thailand after her daughter was seriously injured in a car accident in Taiwan. She has received no assistance from the Taiwanese authorities or the driver’s family. The mother contacted the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive, saying her daughter was in hospital in Taiwan following a car accident on February 7, but she cannot…
-
Phuket aims to become a low-carbon green city
The popular tourist destination of Phuket is on course to become a low-carbon green city, thanks to a recent collaboration between Energy Absolute Public Company Limited (EA) and the Federation of Thai Industries Phuket (FTI Phuket). Both organisations have agreed to make this transformation a reality, and Governor Sophon Suwannarat witnessed their commitment at an event held on February 17.…
-
Six zodiac signs set for financial uplift according to astrological predictions
Astrological forecasts often bring a glimmer of hope to those facing challenges, and the latest predictions are no exception. For six zodiac signs, the stars are aligning to offer a reprieve from recent hardships, particularly in the financial arena. For those who have faced a relentless stream of obstacles, the promise of a turnaround is more than welcome. The past…
-
Phuket hookah bar raided in ongoing clampdown on illicit tobacco trade
In the bustling city of Phuket, a hookah bar in Cherng Talay was stormed by a team of ten officials from the Thalang District. Following the crackdown on the illicit tobacco trade, authorities have apprehended and charged the venue operator involved in the illegal activity. The operation was initiated late into the night at 11.09pm on Friday, February 16. This…
-
Thailand’s GDP sees modest growth amid calls for interest rate cut
Thailand’s economic growth in 2023, as measured by the gross domestic product (GDP), registered a 1.9% increase, according to the National Social and Economic Development Council (NESDC). This growth, however, was tempered by a decline in manufacturing and public spending, despite an upswing in private consumption and visitor numbers. This growth bolsters the argument for an interest rate slash during…
-
AWS plans to democratise generative AI as global fight heats up
Amazon Web Services (AWS), Amazon’s cloud computing division, unveiled its plans to make technology and generative artificial intelligence (AI) readily available. This initiative comes as the global generative AI sector becomes increasingly competitive. Jaime Valles, AWS Vice President of the commercial sector for Asia-Pacific and Japan, highlighted the transformative influence of cloud computing in granting global access to technology and…
-
Mysterious burned human skeletons found in Isaan landfill
A Thai man discovered a burned human skeleton in a landfill in the Waeng Noi district of the Isaan province of Khon Kaen. The identity of the deceased and the cause of death are currently under investigation. The man, a water delivery driver, stopped at the landfill yesterday, February 18, to urinate and came across the skeletons. He then reported…
-
Singapore aims to use sustainable aviation fuel in all flights by 2026
Singapore Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat revealed a green initiative to transition all outgoing flights to utilise sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by 2026. This announcement came during the Changi Aviation Summit, a precursor to the Singapore Airshow. The city-state is committing to a 1% SAF usage target by 2026, with ambitions to elevate this figure to between 3% and 5%…
-
Thaksin sparks online debates for being released on parole
Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister of Thailand, was released on parole following six months in hospital. He returned to his home, Ban Chan Song La, in the Bang Phlat district of Bangkok yesterday, February 18. His parole sparked an online debate regarding his privilege and issues of inequality. Thaksin arrived in Thailand on August 22 last year after 15 years…
-
Thailand Video News | Taylor Swift causes rift between Singapore and Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra released from jail
In this video, Alex and Jay delve into the latest news from Thailand, covering a range of stories, including the release of Thailand’s former Prime Minister, raising questions about justice. As Thailand braces for a heatwave, caution is urged amid soaring temperatures. Additionally, a Chinese national narrowly escapes an attempted murder near Pattaya, while concerns escalate over exotic pet ownership.…
-
Thai banking industry faces hurdles amid high auto loan rejections
Last year’s robust profits from the Thai banking industry stirred debates, as critics pointed to excessively high interest rates. The sector witnessed a 17.8% surge in net interest income (NII) to 727 billion baht (US$20.2 billion) in 2023, up from 617 billion in 2022. The five biggest banks by assets contributed significantly to this rise with an increased net interest…
-
Drunken foreigner turns heads in Pattaya pandemonium
Pattaya residents witnessed more quality tourists at the weekend when a half-naked drunken foreigner caused chaos on the bustling roads of the popular holiday destination. Responding promptly to reports, Pattaya police arrived at the scene on Saturday, February 17, where the drunken foreigner was seen creating a public disturbance at the intersection of Pattaya Klang Road. Upon arrival, officers encountered…
-
Fuel dispensers’ accuracy standards to tighten in Thailand
The Internal Trade Department of the Commerce Ministry is set to tighten the accuracy standards for fuel dispensers at petrol stations. The new directive seeks to lower the margin of error to ensure that consumers receive fair and accurate fuel measurements. The department expects to enforce the new criteria within the next one to two weeks. Chakra Yodmani, the department’s…
-
Bangkok’s Mo Chit 2 bus terminal enhances safety with arrival area closure
Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak), or Mo Chit 2 as it is commonly referred to, announced the closure of its arrival area on March 1. The decision is part of a broader initiative to enhance passenger safety and curb the activities of illegal motorcycle taxis targeting travellers. The government and the Transport Ministry previously instructed Transport Co, the operator of the…
-
Thailand battles highest bile duct cancer rate in Southeast Asia
Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew revealed that Thailand has the highest rate of cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) among the ASEAN nations. The minister announced this worrying statistic at an event commemorating World CCA Day in Maha Sarakham. The primary cause of this cancer is identified as liver fluke. Thailand, being the Southeast Asia nation with the highest prevalence of CCA,…
-
Thailand’s DNP refutes Khao Yai National Park farmland claims
Claims to farmland within Khao Yai National Park were strongly refuted yesterday by Thailand’s Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP). This came in response to a recent announcement by the Agricultural Land Reform Office (Alro) that approximately 2,933 rai of land within Pak Chong district, a Unesco World Heritage site area, have been designated as agricultural land…
-
Proposed amendment extends universal healthcare to cover surrogacy
An impending amendment to the surrogacy law, governing technology-assisted reproduction, proposes the inclusion of any complications arising during pregnancy within the universal healthcare scheme (UHS). This legislation is slated for approval in the year’s third quarter. Dr Sura Wisedsak, Department of Health Service Support (DHSS) Director-General, elaborated that the proposed coverage would span from conception through to a minimum of…
-
Chinese woman escapes deadly fire trap after Pattaya assault
A Chinese woman, allegedly lured and assaulted in a remote area near Pattaya, survived an attempt on her life after the assailant reportedly set the surrounding grassland on fire. The incident took place yesterday, February 18, and police are now investigating the mystery, examining all available evidence, including CCTV footage from the day of the crime. The harrowing ordeal began…
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.